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George Hirst

George Herbert Hirst

Born: 7 September 1871, Kirkheaton, Yorkshire
Died: 10 May 1954, Lindley, Huddersfield, Yorkshire
Major Teams: Yorkshire, Europeans (India), England.
Known As: George Hirst
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Medium Fast


Test Debut: England v Australia at Sydney, 1st Test, 1897/98
Last Test:
England v Australia at Manchester, 4th Test, 1909

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1901

Career Statistics:

TESTS
 (career)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding   24   38   3   790   85   22.57   0   5   18   0

                    Balls    M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ
Bowling              4010  146  1770   59  30.00  5-48    3   0  67.9  2.64

FIRST-CLASS
 (career: 1891 - 1929)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding  826 1217 152 36356  341   34.13  60 201  604   0

                       R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10
Bowling            51371 2742  18.73  9-23  184  40

- Explanations of First-Class and List A status courtesy of the ACS.


StatsGuru Filters for George Hirst


Profile:

A man who described himself as a county cricketer was in fact one of the greatest of county cricketers, and not a bad Test player either. The only man to take 200 wickets and score 2,000 runs in an English season, George Hirst was a magnificent all-rounder, and is credited with introducing swing bowling to the top level of cricket. Prior to Hirst, bowlers would often rough up the surface of the new ball to get a better grip. Hirst learned how to control the swing of the new ball, dismissing batsmen with deliveries described as almost like fast returns from cover. His batting was somewhat unorthodox - he received little formal coaching - and relied on his superb eye, and quick footwork. He loved to hook and pull, and was capable of playing the pull shot to a ball of almost any length short of a yorker. He bowled slightly faster than medium pace, off a long run, and he swung the ball into the right hander very late. He was also adept at using the seam, and was an excellent fielder, a superb catcher on the off side.

Like his friend and bowling partner Wilfred Rhodes, Hirst was born in Kirkheaton, and first played for Yorkshire at the age of 19. He established himself in the team in 1896, when he performed the first of his 14 "doubles". He made in all 60 first-class centuries and helped himself to a Yorkshire record 341 against Leicestershire in 1905. Hirst and Rhodes combined to bowl out Australia for just 36 in the 1st Test of 1902, the opening salvoes of a famous series that was to end with the two Yorkshiremen's last wicket stand to win the Ashes at the Oval. Hirst never made a Test century but his 58* as England chased 263 to win was worth more than many centuries, and his instruction to Rhodes as he joined him "we'll get 'em in singles, Wilfred" has become part of cricketing lore and legend. He toured Australia twice, with only modest success, and by and large his performances for England fell below the high standard of his county career.

Hirst made his last Test appearance in 1909, but appeared for Yorkshire for another 20 years, as well as coaching Eton for 18 years (starting in 1921). He was made an honorary life member of the MCC in 1948, and was often seen guiding his friend Rhodes (now blind) at Lord's. Wisden's obituary said of him: "Certainly this blunt, outspoken man of extreme buoyancy and cheerfulness brought such a tenacity to the game that no match in which he figured was won or lost until the last ball was bowled" (DL 2000).

* Last Updated: Monday, 29-Jul-2002 10:55:10 GMT


 
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